Maximum pressure campaign

Last updated

Maximum pressure campaign refers to the intensified sanctions against Iran by the Trump administration after the United States of America left the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in 2018. [1] The campaign was aimed at pressuring Iran to renegotiate the JCPOA, [2] adding more restrictions on Iran's nuclear program and expanding the scope of the agreement to cover Iran's ballistic missiles as well as other regional activities. [1] [3] This strategy was faced by Iran's counter pressure policy to thwart the U.S. maximum pressure campaign. [2] [4] [5]

Contents

According to Human Rights Watch, the current economic sanctions "are causing unnecessary suffering to Iranian citizens afflicted with a range of diseases and medical conditions," despite exemptions for the humanitarian goods. [6]

Sanctions

In May 2018, then U.S. president Donald Trump withdrew from the nuclear deal with Iran and imposed several new non-nuclear sanctions against Iran, some of which were condemned by Iran as a violation of the deal. [7] In November 2018, the U.S. officially reimposed all sanctions against Iran that had been lifted before the U.S. withdrawal from the JCPOA. [8]

Elizabeth Rosenberg, a former U.S. Treasury Department official told NPR that the program include sanctioning "some Iranian financial institutions not previously designated and that were previously used to facilitate food, medicine and medical imports." To this end, most large Iranian financial institutions are subject to the sanctions. [6]

Outcomes

According to a report from the International Monetary Fund, Iran's Gross Official Reserves fell from an average of $70 billion in 2017 to $4 billion in 2020. [9] Certain analysts believe the campaign failed to change Iran's regional activities or counter Iran's proxy influence in the region, force Iran to renegotiate the nuclear deal and hinder its nuclear and missile programs. [4] [3] [5] In 2019, Iranian President [Hassan Rouhani] said that U.S. sanctions had deprived the Iranian economy of $200 billion in oil revenue and investments. [10] Senior officials in the administration of Ebrahim Raisi, the president of Iran who took office after the Maximum Pressure Campaign's termination, claimed that oil sales in the initial months of Raisi's presidency had jumped by 40 percent despite being under "stringent US sanctions". [11]

The campaign was criticized by some foreign policy analysts as being poorly conceived and counterproductive to other American foreign policy goals. David Wallsh, writing for the Atlantic Council, posited that "an exclusively punitive policy unaccompanied by diplomatic off-ramps incentivizes Tehran to fight fire with fire by imposing costs on its perceived aggressors." [12]

Other concerns had been raised regarding the negative effect of the program on the welfare of the Iranian populace. One analysis by Human Rights Watch argued the redoubled U.S. sanctions had effectively constrained Iran's "ability to finance [...] humanitarian imports", due to the broad U.S. sanctions against Iranian banks, accompanied by the "aggressive rhetoric from U.S. officials". The intensified sanctions have seriously threatened Iranians' right to health and access to essential medicines, causing documented shortages—ranging from a lack of vital drugs for patients with epilepsy to limited chemotherapy medications for treating Iranian cancer patients. [6]

Reactions

The United Arab Emirates expressed its absolute support for the United States continuing the maximum pressure against Iran. Israeli politicians have also expressed support for the program. [13]

The United Nations Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Iran said in July 2019 that he was "not only concerned that sanctions and banking restrictions will unduly affect food security and the availability and distribution of medicines, pharmaceutical equipment and supplies, but is also concerned at their potential negative impact on United Nations and other operations and programs in the country." [6]

In November 2021, during the presidency of Ebrahim Reisi and the beginning of a new round of nuclear talks, Ali Bagheri Kani, Iran's chief nuclear negotiator has said that in the seventh round of talks to revive the IAEA nuclear deal, the Islamic Republic of Iran called for the lifting of all sanctions against the US campaign of maximum pressure as a prelude to the resumption of talks. [14]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Iran–United States relations</span> Bilateral relations

Iran and the United States have had no formal diplomatic relations since 7 April 1980. Instead, Pakistan serves as Iran's protecting power in the United States, while Switzerland serves as the United States' protecting power in Iran. Contacts are carried out through the Iranian Interests Section of the Pakistani Embassy in Washington, D.C., and the US Interests Section of the Swiss Embassy in Tehran. In August 2018, Supreme Leader of Iran Ali Khamenei banned direct talks with the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mohammad Javad Zarif</span> Iranian foreign minister (born 1960)

Mohammad Javad Zarif Khansari is an Iranian career diplomat and academic. He was the foreign minister of Iran from 2013 until 2021 in the government of Hassan Rouhani. During his tenure as foreign minister, he led the Iranian negotiation with P5+1 countries which produced the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action on 14 July 2015, lifting the economic sanctions against Iran on 16 January 2016. On 25 February 2019, Zarif resigned from his post as foreign minister. His resignation was rejected by Ali Khamenei and he continued as foreign minister.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United States sanctions against Iran</span> Trade restrictions levied by the United States government

The United States has since 1979 applied various economic, trade, scientific and military sanctions against Iran. United States economic sanctions are administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), an agency of the United States Department of the Treasury. Currently, United States sanctions against Iran include an embargo on dealings with the country by the United States, and a ban on selling aircraft and repair parts to Iranian aviation companies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Iran–Japan relations</span> Bilateral relations

Iran–Japan relations are diplomatic relations between Iran and Japan. It was officially established in 1926 during the Pahlavi-Persian era. With the exception of World War II, the two countries have maintained a relatively friendly, strong and strategic relationship throughout history.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Iran–Switzerland relations</span> Bilateral relations

Iran–Switzerland relations are foreign relations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Swiss Confederation.

There have been a number of sanctions against Iran imposed by a number of countries, especially the United States, and international entities. Iran was the most sanctioned country in the world until it was surpassed by Russia, following Russia's invasion of neighboring Ukraine in February 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Iran–European Union relations</span> Bilateral relations

European Union–Iran relations are the bilateral relations between Iran and the European Union (EU). The EU is Iran's largest trading partner, along with China and the United Arab Emirates. Trade with Iran is subject to the general EU import regime and the EU supports the goal of Iranian accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO). The EU has accused and criticized Iran for human rights violations, which led to diplomatic tensions, but both sides aim at improving and normalizing relations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action</span> International agreement on the nuclear program of Iran

The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, commonly known as the Iran nuclear deal or Iran deal, is an agreement on the Iranian nuclear program reached in Vienna on 14 July 2015, between Iran and the P5+1 together with the European Union.

The Government's Obligation to Protect the Nuclear Rights and Achievements of Iranian Nation Act is a bill that was passed on 23 June 2015 by Iran's Islamic Consultative Assembly to support Iran's nuclear program and put some constraints on Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in the negotiations leading to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2017 Iranian presidential election</span>

Presidential elections were held in Iran on 19 May 2017, the twelfth such election in Iran. Local elections were held simultaneously.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ebrahim Raisi</span> 8th President of Iran since 2021

Sayyid Ebrahim Raisolsadati, commonly known as Ebrahim Raisi, is an Iranian principlist politician, Muslim jurist, and the eighth and current president of Iran since 3 August 2021, having been elected to the presidency in the 2021 election.

Iranian frozen assets in international accounts are calculated to be worth between $100 billion and $120 billion. Almost $2 billion of Iran's assets are frozen in the United States. According to the Congressional Research Service, in addition to the money locked up in foreign bank accounts, Iran's frozen assets include real estate and other property. The estimated value of Iran's real estate in the U.S. and their accumulated rent is $50 million. Besides the assets frozen in the U.S., some parts of Iran's assets are frozen around the world by the United Nations.

The 2017 Ebrahim Raisi presidential campaign began when Ebrahim Raisi, chairman of the Astan Quds Razavi, launched his campaign for the 2017 presidential election. Raisi's campaign pursued a populist agenda.

There were three live televised debates in total. First debate focused on social issues while the next two revolved around economic and political matters. The candidates had drawn lots to determine their seating arrangement for the debate.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Criticism of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action</span>

The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, more commonly known as the Iran nuclear deal, was the international agreement reached on Iran's nuclear program in Vienna in 2015. The deal, made after several years of negotiation, set in place strict guidelines to regulate and oversee the Iranian nuclear program including the reduction of centrifuges, enriched uranium stockpiles, and an agreement to allow regular inspections of nuclear sites, among other aspects. The deal has attracted enormous criticism by certain political and media elements in the United States and Iran as the deal is viewed as conciliatory in nature by some factions in both countries. For example, President Donald J. Trump called the Iran deal, "the worst deal ever negotiated" and United States Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell characterized it as "flawed", while hardliners in Iran have indicated a desire to subvert it. Much of the criticism in the United States has been centered on the issue of appeasement and Iran's compliance, while in Iran many of the criticisms revolve around the issue of sovereignty and non-nuclear restrictions.

The United States announced its withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), also known as the "Iran nuclear deal" or the "Iran deal", on May 8, 2018. The JCPOA is an agreement on Iran's nuclear program reached in July 2015 by Iran and the P5+1 also called E3/EU+3.

<i>Alleged Violations of the 1955 Treaty of Amity</i> (Iran v. United States)

Alleged Violations of the 1955 Treaty of Amity, Economic Relations, and Consular Rights is the formal name of a case in the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Iran filed a lawsuit with the Hague-based ICJ against the United States, on 16 July 2018, mainly based on the 1955 Treaty of Amity signed between the two sides on 15 August 1955 and entered into force in 1957, well before the Islamic revolution of Iran. Iranian officials alleged that U.S. re-imposition of the nuclear sanctions was a violation of the treaty. Iran also filed a request for provisional measures. In response, the United States asserted that the lawsuit as "baseless" and vowed to oppose it. Almost a month later, the ICJ heard the provisional measures request. On 3 October 2018, the International Court of Justice issued a provisional measures order requiring the United States "to lift sanctions linked to humanitarian goods and civil aviation imposed against Iran."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Reactions to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action</span> International reaction to the 2015 Vienna pact on Irans nuclear program

The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, known commonly as the Iran nuclear deal or Iran deal, is an agreement on the Iranian nuclear program reached in Vienna on 14 July 2015 between Iran, the P5+1, and the European Union. The nuclear deal received a mixed international reaction, with many countries expressing praise or hope it could achieve the denuclearization of Iran. Some of Iran's neighbouring countries and U.S. lawmakers expressed skepticism about the agreement, seeing it as critically flawed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aftermath of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action</span>

The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, commonly known as the Iran nuclear deal or Iran deal, is an agreement on the Iranian nuclear program reached in Vienna on 14 July 2015 between Iran, the P5+1, and the European Union.

Seven resolutions have been approved by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) relating to the nuclear program of Iran, although the only one currently in force is Resolution 2231, passed on 20 July 2015 endorsing the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action on the Iranian nuclear program. It sets out an inspection process and schedule while also preparing for the removal of United Nations arms sanctions against Iran. In August 2020, the U.S. released a proposal to extend the UN arms embargo on Iran in the UN.

References

  1. 1 2 "The Failure of U.S. "Maximum Pressure" against Iran". Crisis Group. 8 March 2021. Retrieved 19 October 2021.
  2. 1 2 Nuruzzaman, Mohammed (1 November 2020). "President Trump's 'Maximum Pressure' Campaign and Iran's Endgame". Strategic Analysis. 44 (6): 570–582. doi:10.1080/09700161.2020.1841099. S2CID   229463187 . Retrieved 19 October 2021.
  3. 1 2 Borger, Julian (11 August 2019). "Why Trump's 'maximum pressure' foreign policy yields minimum results". The Guardian. Retrieved 29 October 2021.
  4. 1 2 Azizi, Hamidreza; Golmohammadi, Vali; Vazirian, Amir Hossein (2020). "Trump's "maximum pressure" and anti-containment in Iran's regional policy". Digest of Middle East Studies. 29 (2): 150–166. doi:10.1111/dome.12219. ISSN   1949-3606. S2CID   228996480 . Retrieved 31 October 2021.
  5. 1 2 Mallett, Ellis. "Iran: US policy of 'maximum pressure' has failed – why the west needs to re-engage Tehran". The Conversation. Retrieved 1 November 2021.
  6. 1 2 3 4 ""Maximum Pressure": US Economic Sanctions Harm Iranians' Right to Health". Human Rights Watch. 29 October 2019. Retrieved 30 October 2021.
  7. ↑ Trump, Iran nuclear deal, CNN, 8 May 2018
  8. ↑ "US targets arms program with strongest sanctions since scrapping Iran deal". ABC News. 2 November 2018. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
  9. ↑ "Did the "Maximum Pressure" Campaign Against Iran Fail?". Council on Foreign Relations. Retrieved 19 October 2021.
  10. ↑ "Rouhani Says Sanctions Have Cost Iran $200 Billion In Revenues". en.radiofarda.com. Retrieved 14 July 2023.
  11. ↑ Motamedi, Maziar. "Iran says oil sales strong despite effect of Ukraine war". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 5 July 2022.
  12. ↑ Wallsh, David (12 February 2020). "The 'maximum pressure' campaign undermines Trump's national security strategy". Atlantic Council. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  13. ↑ Ng, Abigail (22 January 2021). "Middle East leaders praise Trump's 'maximum pressure' campaign on Iran as Biden takes office". CNBC. Retrieved 19 October 2021.
  14. ↑ "US must 'accept reality' and lift sanctions: Iran negotiator".
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.